NEON Intermountain Region Observatory Network (IRON)

Basin and Range, Steppe and Land Transition (BAR SALT)

Salt Lake Valley Urbanization Gradient

Location: Murray City, West Jordan City, and Kennecott Lands

Contact person: Jim Ehleringer, 801-581-7623, ehleringer@biology.utah.edu

Webpage: http://co2.utah.edu/

Location within domain:
Latitude: 40.67
Longitude: -112.06
Ownership: City and county government, private
Access: variable
Aquatic features: Jordan River
Contributions to national gradient: urbanization, invasive species, infectious diseases, water, dust

History: Carbon, water, and energy fluxes were initiated in 2000 to measure changes in fluxes and stocks along an urbanization gradient. Working in conjunction with Kennecott Lands, there is the opportunity to monitor and investigate urbanization over the next 50 years.

Key Characteristics: Sagebrush and grassland steppe transitioning into urbanized landscapes.

Existing infrastructure relevant to NEON: Weather stations, CO2 and CO sensors, ecosystem and monitoring equipment associated with ongoing analyses related to energy use, water use and choices, C and N cycles, and human health in urban ecosystems (Urban Systems and Human Built Environments Center, University of Utah), have been in place since 2001. There are two eddy covariance systems associated with these studies and an extensive meteorological and sounding network (Mesowest). There are SNOTEL and USGS online gauging stations throughout the region.

Climatic location of Salt Lake Valley Urbanization Gradient within the BAR SALT gradient.

Contributions to national gradients:
Existing infrastructure relevant to NEON:

Facilities: There are extensive laboratories and dormitory space located at the University of Utah in the Salt Lake Valley.